Big screens ready, fans prepare for bigger cheers as Kol counts down to showdown
Times of India | 19 July 2026
Kolkata: From multiplexes to open-air arenas, from sports cafes to nightclubs, multiple venues across Indian footballing mecca Kolkata are decking up for the clash of footballing titans as reigning champion Argentina takes on European champion Spain in the 2026 Fifa World Cup final just past midnight on Sunday.
Spotting the demand for viewing the match live on big screens among thousands of Argentina fans across neighbourhoods, multiplex chain PVR Inox has seized the opportunity and decided to screen the game live across all its 12 theatre locations in Kolkata. These include multiplexes at nearly all major malls in the city.
“Kolkata is mad about football. When Argentina pipped England to make it to the final, we began getting a large number of enquiries on the game being screened live in theatres. Given the enthusiasm, we responded to it and decided to show the 2026 Fifa World Cup final on at least one screen in each of the 12 locations where we are present,” said PVR Inox regional director (east) Amitava Guha Thakurta.
Inox has in the past screened World Cups, both football and cricket, live. But this is the first time that it will start screening a game that starts at 12.30 am and could potentially end around 3 am, should it go the full distance and be decided on penalties like the Argentina-France final in 2022 when the game ended 3-3 at the end of extra time and Argentina finally beat France 4-2 in penalties.
Sports cafe The Dugout that regularly streams sports events live will also be open till late as several regular patrons have confirmed they will watch the game there. “We will be open till the prize distribution ceremony is over. While the game could be nail-biting, the kitchen will be open so that guests can order from our menu that has sections like Warm Up, Head Start, Four Corners, Midfielder, Game On and more,” said the manager at one of the two outlets the brand operates in Kolkata.
While those supporting Spain are likely to be in the minority in most venues, they are sure to be outnumbered if they venture to Gangulybagan where a few thousand Argentina supporters are expected to watch the match on a giant screen. Over 4,000 fans watched Messi & Co beat Harry Kane’s England in the semi-final. Uttam Saha, founder of the Argentina Football Fan Club, expects the turnout to be even higher on Sunday.
“During the semi-final match, the turnout was so high that it spilled over onto the street next to the ground. Many from the locality could not get in as the venue was packed to the hilt. The evening will start around 8 pm with a cultural programme featuring singers from Argentina and India. Songs in Hindi and Spanish will set the ball rolling,” said Saha.
The game will also be screened live in several nightclubs on Park Street, Theatre Road and other locations that usually shut early on Sunday but will make an exception this weekend. “Though LIIT in Golden Park closes at midnight on Sunday, we have taken temporary late closure licence from the excise department for this for the World Cup final,” said an official at Golden Parkk on Ho Chi Minh Sarani. Fairfield by Marriott in New Town will also screen the match at its nightclub and rooftop bar Vertex. So will Beer Station at Diamond Plaza in Dum Dum. Several other restaurants in Salt Lake Sector V and Kolkata have taken late closure licence to enable them to serve liquor till 2 am on Monday.